Short sales refer to the sale of an asset by a borrower with limited finances for an unpaid mortgage. A balance due with the aim that, the proceeds gotten from the sales will be used to settle the lender. In order to stay clear of what may constitute a huge loss for the lender should he stay clear of the mortgage, he will then accept just a fraction of the mortgage. It is worthy to note that, only in extreme cases should short sales be brought into play. This is so because; they are most often than not very complex and time-consuming. Reasons have been that they usually require the approval of the lender, which is of course not guaranteed with the borrower on a timeline to get a buyer for the home.
Benefits of a Short Sale to a Home Seller
As negative as short sale sound there are some benefits of the concept. Some of which includes:
- A Credit Score Benefit: From the viewpoint of a credit score, a short sale is comforting especially when up against potentials for a home foreclosure.
- Emotional Benefits: Usually, a home mortgage arguably one of the biggest financial investment in a man’s life. Therefore, the seller has as objective to avoid a situation of foreclosure.
Limitations of Short Sales to a Home Seller
- In availability of cash-out: Selling shot means the home seller doesn’t gain a dime but rather the bank and lenders get all the money gotten from the sale.
- Lender Dependence: The decision-making process for a home sale is solely dependent on their mortgage lender for a go-ahead since the decision isn’t theirs to make
- Limited Finances for Future Home Purchase: With sellers being the losers in a short sale, steering home sale properties to fund the purchase of a new home will be difficult meaning they’d have to begin from scratch.
Homebuyers can take good advantage of a short sale, as well, with several advantages. Some of the pros of the shot sale include:
- Price Reduction: A huge benefit short sale is simply that ability to get a home at discounted prices. It should be worthy to note that, with properties in short sale mode, the owners, bank and even the lender will nature thoughts of selling the property all with the goal of settling the home loan.
- Less Competition: A handful of homebuyers, not just first-timers aren’t big fans of complex processes in a short sale arrangement. Rather prefer patience, little or no stress and why not limited competitions for the home.
Cons of Short Sales to a Home Buyer
- Lengthy Home-Buying Schedule: The documentation proceedings for buyers is usually very long regarding a short sale. Making it a deal breaker for buyers.
- Creditor Meddling: Most often than not, creditors try getting involved in negotiations for the price of the home where they turn to demand the highest price possible in order to regain more money for the home loan.
- The Property may be in a bad State: Attention should be paid to getting the property inspected by a professional since short sellers may run short in finances to maintaining the standards of the home.
Because of its many risks, disciplined traders who are familiar with the risks of shorting should only use short selling and the regulations involved. Put buying is better suited for the average investor than short selling because of the limited risk. That said, short selling can be a potent strategy for speculation or hedging during bear markets.